Tag: Science Fiction

A remarkable sequel in truly fantastic series. I adored the second just as much as the first. From the get go, I was utterly absorbed. There is something special about the way Sylvain Neuvel writes, and about the way he creates and develops his characters. I fell in love with all of them, particularly Rose, Vincent, and Kara, and they more than live up to the expectations I’d had for them after the first book ended.

The first book begins with child Rose falling into a massive hole and landing in the palm of a truly enormous hand. The second book begins in a similar fashion – with a child, only this child has waking nightmares that come true. After a brief glimpse into her life that does nothing to tell us about who she truly is, we’re back with the Unnamed Man, one of the most complex characters in the whole book. The interviews from his point of view are fascinating, and I really enjoyed the mystery that surrounded him. The pace picks up from there, with the aliens who built the Themis robot sending more to Earth, and the series of events that occurs as a result of our heroes actions in the first novel is nothing short of terrifying. My heart raced and ached for the loss and devastation they felt along the way.

I love the unique formats these books take as well. From the more traditional prose style to the formal interview and the brief snippets of dialogue, the story is extrapolated from bits and bobs and told so many different ways and from so many view points. It never feels disjointed, but rather adds to the overall realism of the story. Which just goes to show the talent and thought that’s gone into these books.

Sylvain Neuvel has quickly become a must read author for me. Do yourself a favour and read them, and I’ll know he’ll become one for you, too.